Lessons in Chemistry (2022) is a bestselling novel by Bonnie Garmus about women's lives, careers, and struggle for empowerment in the late 50s and early 60s. It follows the story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist who is forced to become a television chef when she finds herself a young, single mother. It's clear, though never confirmed, that Elizabeth is on the autism spectrum, candid and artless, she's frustrated by the social conventions that attempt to constrain her both personally and professionally.
This book generated a good discussion about uncomfortable characters, with awkward social abilities, the relevance of home economics/cooking and how in a way nothing has changed. The chemistry behind cooking was interesting. Most agreed that the ending felt to neat, too many loose ends tide up when an element of untidiness would have been better.
Words used to describe it: captivating, unputdownable, multi-faceted, feminine centered, trite/chick lit, frustrating.
Marks out of 10: between 6 & 8 so quite highly marked.
Next Book
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak (Rowena)
Next Meeting
Wednesday 18th October at Olivia's
